Break Archive

Yes, there's new Lord of the Rings Blu-ray news and no, it isn't the Extended Editions of the movies. If the pressure of buying the boxed set is just too much to bear don't worry, this fall you'll finally be able to buy each movie individually (we prefer to skip to RoTK, we're impatient like that.) September 14 is the date they go on sale with $24.98 MSRPs and identical features to their boxed counterparts, minus a digital copy, can we start the countdown to the release of the EE yet?

After a public beta spanning a couple months, Sling is rolling out the latest piece of its expanding SlingPlayer Mobile portfolio this week -- this time for Android, plugging the biggest coverage gap it currently has. This is the same app we recently had an opportunity to check out, but since that preview, we're happy to report that it's been massaged into a more stable, more usable setup -- gone are the disconnect crashes we'd had before. Furthermore, Sling claims they've specifically worked to improve load and response times with this version, and we have to say that the effort is noticeable -- this definitely feels like the fastest SlingPlayer Mobile we've used to date. It's officially available starting tomorrow from the Market in Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the US for $29.99. Follow the break for the full press release.

It's Monday, and we know that getting the week started can be tough. We're here to help by letting you peek into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to tapeat 5:30 pm. Think of it as a kind of time machine that will help you power through your day by reviewing what happened in the week HD-wise. Embedded Ustream tools and a list of topics after the break.

Google's reveal of Google TV wasn't exactly flawless. After technical issues wreaked havoc with the live launch demonstration, many of us found it nearly impossible to focus just as soon as we heard mention of IR blaster control. Fear not, Google has returned with a two and half minute video that breaks it down like we were kindergartners. So grab your blanky and Mr. Tickle, the embedded video is available after the break.

Sony's snuck in one more announcement after today's E3 press conference, this fall it's unveiling an all-in-one Surround Sound System for the PlayStation 3. It will go on sale worldwide for $199 / €199, or 19,800 and accepts audio via optical or analog inputs -- no HDMI 1.4 here -- and supports Dolby digital, DTS, MPEG-2 AAC and Linear PCM audio formats. Sony's established its S-Force PRO Front Surround technology that promises realistic surround sound without the additional speakers in its HT-CT150 and HT-CT350 soundbar systems, but those include a separate subwoofer, HDMI and retail for $100 and $200 more, respectively. Those shortcomings make it doubtful audiophiles will look twice, but for an easy dormroom or bedroom upgrade this CECH-ZVS1 could easily do the trick, specs are after the break.

BARCELONA, Spain–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWKS), an innovator of high performance analog semiconductors enabling a broad range of end markets, today expanded its wireless portfolio with the introduction of highly...